Van Buren Will Have To Increase School Budget To Meet State Guidelines
The Van Buren County Director of Schools told County Commissioners Tuesday night they will need to increase school spending by some $450,000 to meet new state education guidelines. Cheryl Cope presented budget projections based on the new Tennessee education formula. Cope said the maintenance of effort number represents the local investment in education. “Projected maintenance […]
Bus Driver Shortage Still Mixed Bag Across UC
Upper Cumberland school systems continue to work through issues with finding school bus drivers and substitute drivers. DeKalb County Transportation Manager Billy Rhody said he said they have routes covered, but do not have enough substitutes. He said when a driver is out, they have to make changes and double up routes in order to […]
Jackson, Overton HWY Departments Report Clear Roads After Morning Snow
The roads in Jackson and Overton counties are clear after a small amount of snow accumulation Thursday morning. Both school systems closed for the day out of precaution. Overton Road Supervisor James Norrod said there seemed to be no problem areas within the county this morning. “It was starting to flurry pretty good,” Norrod said, […]
Putnam School System Evaluating Facilities For Returning Students
Putnam County School System preparing for your students to return to class. Prescott South Middle School Principal Tera Brooks said the preparation starts the week before holiday break. Brooks said the campus has a maintenance tech that evaluates facilities for touch-ups. “We went around the building and looked around while the students were still there […]
Rodgers: New School Funding Will Require Forward-Thinking From Commissioners
Putnam County Commission Budget Chair Ben Rodgers said he’s hopeful about what the new school funding formula means for the county. Putnam County School System Director Corby King presented information about the funding formula to the County Commission Monday night. Rodgers said that under the new formula, the county should be in good budget shape […]
Multiple Early School Dismissals Shows Importance Of Planning
The majority of Upper Cumberland schools dismissed early Wednesday due to the threat of severe weather. Situations like this remind families the importance of having a early dismissal plan ready. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the key is knowing where a student will be. “Who is going to be able to pick […]
Overton County Audit Shows Serious Issues In School District
A Tennessee Comptroller’s Office audit of Overton County “shows serious problems” citing the school system on 10 findings for the fiscal year ending June 2021. Communications Director John Dunn said the growth from two to 10 findings over the past year causes concern. “We really encourage Overton County to consider the idea of having a […]
White Co Schools Submit Feedback On New Education Funding Framework
Funding for needed positions, technology upgrades and teacher compensation among the feedback that White County Schools submitted as the state works on a new education funding formula. The state department of education gave one week of public comment on the new funding framework. Tuesday was the deadline. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the suggestions […]
This Week: Overton Schools Consider Scoreboard Purchase, Central View Committee Gathers
This week in the Upper Cumberland the Cookeville Planning Commission will consider the preliminary plat for the Highbury Subdivision. A planned 147 lots located on Neal Street and East Veterans Drive. Business begins at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. The Fentress County Commission also meets Monday. Members will consider a resolution that allows the county to […]
Community Members Voice Concerns About Funding At BEP Town Hall
A local attorney said it is important public tax dollars continue to fund public schools at Tuesday night’s BEP Town Hall. Anne Austin said she worries that there’s more to the idea of revisiting the BEP formula. “I am a strong proponent of a strong public education system,” Austin said. “That means funding it with […]
